Newlyweds killed in quad bike crash on paradise island

A BRITISH honeymoon couple have been killed in an horrific quad bike crash in the Maldives just days after their wedding.

A british honeymoon couple have been killed in an horrific quad bike crash in the Maldives []

Emma and Jonathan Gray, both 25 and married for only one week, died instantly when their vehicle smashed into a tree at 4am on the idyllic island of Kuredu in the Indian Ocean.

The driver – believed to be a foreign national but not one of the hotel’s staff – was also seriously injured and will face police questioning.

Jonathan’s twin Michael fought back tears as he told yesterday of the shock at the deaths of the couple, who have a three-month-old son Jake.

He was not taken on the honeymoon and is being looked after by his grandparents.

Michael said: “It just hasn’t sunk in. It was only last week that they were married.

“We need time to gather our thoughts and let people know what has happened.”

Friends and relatives left moving tributes – teddy bears, flowers, burning candles and an opened champagne bottle with the cork from the wedding – at the foot of the steps of Emma and Jonathan’s four-bedroom home in Halifax, West Yorks.

The couple’s cat sat outside the front door watching the bouquets being laid.

Jonathan and primary school teacher Emma were married at St Bartholemew’s Church in Ripponden, West Yorkshire

Vicar Chris Wray, who conducted the service nine days ago, said: “It was a very pleasant happy occasion. They came across as very much in love.”

One guest staying at the four-star Kuredu Island Hotel and Spa, said: “They were a fantastic couple, totally in love.”

Maldives police sub-inspector Ahmed Shiyam said: “We know the accident took place at around 4am and that they were being driven back to their room. They received fatal injuries and the driver was also seriously injured.”

Police added that the driver, a local man, is in a stable condition. He will be questioned and may face legal action.

Mr Shiyam added: “The driver suffered a range of injuries and was rushed to hospital.

“It is unclear exactly why he was driving. We continue to investigate and our officers will establish what happened in the moments before the crash. It is too soon to say whether the vehicle was travelling too quickly or who might have been responsible.”

It is believed the driver, a foreign national, was not a member of staff at the resort. But a hotel source hinted he was staying on the island as a long-term guest and was in a relationship with a staff member.

Kuredu, 80 miles north of the Maldives capital of Male, with secluded sea villas and two miles of beaches, attracts hundreds of honeymooners.

Emma worked at Holy Trinity Primary School in Halifax. Governor the Rev Martin Russell said: “She was very popular, a very genuine person, enthusiastic and she loved her children.

“Everybody is devastated.”

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